Star Trek Crew Review

When Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry introduced the first pilot, "The Cage," to NBC executives in it's said that the network hated much of what they saw. The network made two demands of Roddenberry if they were going to allow the show to move forward. The first was that he "lose the guy with the ears." The second was that he replace the actor playing the second in command of the Enterprise, Majel Barrett, with a man.

This was 1964 and the idea of a woman in a position of leadership, even if it was an imaginary future, was absurd to the old men who ran NBC. Roddenberry was able to keep the character of Spock but had lose Barrett's "Number One." Because Gene Roddenberry married Majel Barrett shortly thereafter she is often said to have joked about Gene's choice "kept the Vulcan and married the woman, 'cause he didn't think Leonard would have it the other way around."



IDW and writer John Byrne in particular been on a roll with their Star Trek comics this past year. Byrne is one of the first Trek comic writers in a long time that actually "gets" the original series. He has an understanding of the universe but, most importantly, an ear for the characters which makes his dialog shine.

When I heard that IDW was going to do a mini series based on the nameless first officer Majel Barrett played in the "The Cage" I was in at the premise. This comic did not disappoint.

The story follows Number One as she joins a small crew of cadets for a shakedown cruise of a new constitution class cruiser.

Of course things quickly go wrong for the these cadets and they find themselves in a life and death struggle. There's a very high body count in this story, with few of the crew making it through.

Number One is an action hero here in the Trekian sense. She works outside of regulations, operating on hunches. She kicks ass in hand to hand combat. She saves the ship and honorably gives the credit to someone else.

There's an excellent little side mystery on earth that involves the bodies of one of the cadets who died in a creative and rather horrible manner. The investigators on earth figure out what's going on about the same time Number One does back on the ship.

The artwork hearkens back to the 70's with a neat retro feel. I love the little details such as the lamp dealies hanging off the helm (see photo below) that the artist includes.

There's very little I didn't like in this comic. There is a bit of the George Lucas shrinkage problem that's been showing up in Trek in that everything has to be tied to the Enterprise in some way. Stories about other ships would be okay once in a while.

But these are minor quibbles in what was really an excellent read. Still not convinced? You can read the first four pages of the comic here.

This is a scotch n'cigar comic.

- Dean Wormer

Watching the Young Turks

Blah blah blah blah Watchmen

I'm too tired to comment on my hopes and fears for the film

so just watch this nice non-spoiler (for the most part) review by the Young Turks




Oh I do have to say that I think casting Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach will turn out to be and inspired choice. It just seems right.


-Swinebread

Battlefields: Dear Billy

Just a quick mini comic review right out of the gate. I picked up "Battlefields: Dear Billy" on a lark, mostly because of the evocative cover pictured above. Without any idea about the history of the title I pictured a throwback story to the old Sgt. Rock comics. I was pleasantly surprised to find something completely different within it's covers.

This is a well written war story told from a woman's perspective. It's 1942 British nurse Carrie Sutton finds herself suffering unspeakable horrors at the hands of the Japanese when she's caught behind enemy lines. The emotional baggage she packs once she's rescued is considerable and very moving. Nevertheless, in British stiff upper lip fashion she hides her scars from the "Billy" of the title. Of course he has scars of his own...

The only complaint I had about this title (other than the horrible cursive font they use for her letters to Billy) was that the Japanese were written as very one-dimensional bastards, bordering on monsters . The last page of the book changed my perspective on this. If this story goes where I think it's going than this setup is going to pay off big time.

This comic is worth reading.

Quick Comic Reviews

Conan The Cimmerian #4
The main drive of Conan’s return to Cimmeria and his involvement in Caollan’s problems with the Aesir has a “Savage Sword” kinda thrust that I’m enjoying. I think much of my gratification comes by way of Tomas Giorello's excellent art. The fight with the raised monsters was kinda hackneyed though especially the end. I like Richard Corbin’s interlude as well. Shem, this time around, has nice Lovecraftian touches.

Star Trek Romulans: The Hollow Crown #2
Excellent, Excellent. John Byrne has captured the sprit of TOS while using the grand flourishes of later trek series. I can’t say enough good things about it. If you enjoy Star Trek on any level and if you want to discover more about the Romulans, pick up this series. The only caveat is that it might be a tad predictable. I love the politics and plots that swirl around the Romulan throne. IDW has latched on to a great idea by exploring ST stories set with other groups of aliens besides the federation ones.

Solomon Kane #1
I have to admit I haven’t read Robert E. Howard’s SK stories so shame on me but I plan to at some point. Nevertheless, the 17th century is a ripe world to explore and the moody Solomon appears to be the just the person to take us through it. I could have used a zero issue to introduce this character his universe though. The first issue of SK has a relative calm before the storm sort of feel and Guevara’s scratchy line work and Stewart’s Fall color palette fit the mood. It’s worthy to note how Scott Allie juxtaposes the new religion of the Puritan SK with the old religion Catholicism of the Baron.

The Age of the Sentry #1-2
Sick of all the darkness in Marvel Universe, you want some of that good Silver Aged Superhero action? Then look no further than The Age of the Sentry. I initially bowed out of this but when I saw that Paul Tobin was writing some of the tales, I just new I had to support a local comic creator and I’m sure glad I did. What we have here, in essence, is Marvel’s Superman with some Captain Marvel thrown in too. Think of the kind of crazy sci-fi stories that Supes had in the late 50s and 60s and you’ll get an idea of the tone but with an early Marvel Universe twist. Each issue contains two stories with pseudo retro art. If I had to sum The Age of the Sentry up I’d say it’s akin to Alan Moore’s 1963, Alan Moore’s Supreme, and Mike Allred’s Mad Man. While the other Sentry stories were very depressing this series is golden goodness. Plus, the 2nd issue had a giant bear and Truman Capote. What more could you want?



-Swinebread

Quick Comic Reviews

I’ve been very busy with the taking care of Swinebread Jr. – as if you couldn’t tell from my lack of responses to all of your wonderful comments but I’m going to do a few quick reviews of SOME of what I’ve had time to read the last two weeks.

Necronomicon #2
This continues to be a great mythos series. Longtime readers of Lovecraftian horror will really enjoy the various entities that make their cameos herein. The real origin of Abdul Alhazred is a sinister treat. Also, I love that Necronomicon is set in the 1920s and how Henry Said is socially corrupted by western ways just as he is spiritually corrupted by the Necronomicon itself. I’ll have to see were this mini-series ends up but this just might be the best Cthulhu Mythos storyline published by Boom yet.

The Twelve # 12
The Twelve continues after a break and the plot thickens but then it thickens every issue doesn’t it. Finally, there’s something for Electro to do and it seems the Blue Blade has discovered the robot’s secrets. Also, the Fiery Mask’s origin might be more than it seems… I feel a retcon coming on. I’m greatly pleased with the Twelve but if you’re looking for lots of superhero fistfights you might want to look elsewhere. Happily, interaction of the “out of time” heroes is exactly want I want. Plus, I think Dynamic Man may be a Red herring, Kid Miracle-Man.

Barack Obama #1
This title is little more than a recitation of facts but it’s a nice read for a quick bio on Obama. It’s actually interesting to see Obama’s life laid out in comic book form and the various players from the political sphere rendered as comic characters is a refreshing dose of non-escapism. Folks that have read his books and watched the news won’t find much new here but I did learn a few things about him that I didn’t know. This title does mention some of the controversies surrounding the candidate as well but without context it seems kinda strange.

The Crossed #1
Looking for a good post-apocalyptic horror title? Then look no further than Crossed by Garth Ennis. This title doesn’t pull any punches and is very graphic. Crossed is sure as hell scary. Apparently a mental plague or some sort that turns folks into psycho killers has infected the world. Not for the faint of heart as no one is spared.

Giant Size Red Sonja #2
It’s great to read Sonja stories by Roy Thomas, Clara Noto and Frank Thorne. Ah the good old days. Thorne’s “The Wizard and Red Sonja Show” is fun homage to the shows that Frank and the Red Sonja gals used to put on back in the 1970s. One of the Sonja’s even looks like Wendy Pini. Also, Red Sonya of Rogatino makes an appearance too. I guess Paradox Entertainment and Red Sonja LLC have worked out their differences.

Star Trek Mirror Images #4
A fun issue all around. Kirk’s plot to assassinate Pike hits a bump in the road but he turns it to his advantage. Hey IDW, more Mirror Universe comics.

Marvel Zombies 3 #1
I like the parallel monitoring agency and the idea that Machine Man has to be one of the guys to investigate the zombie-verse but I hate that fact that Machine Man has to be this Human looking Aaron Stack guy. I liked him better when he was more of a robot.

Savage Sword of Conan #4
I drop everything and read these collections when Dark Horse puts them out. I love 'em! I think I might have convinced Dear Wormer to pick them up.

The End League #5
I don't like the new artist's style... it's gone


-Swinebread

Quick Comic Reviews

I haven’t even had a chance to pick up my comics for this week but here’s a few opinions on last week's stack.

Cthulhu Tales 5
This was an entertaining issue basically for the second story about Dr. Nyarlathotep. This tale is an obvious nod to a dream that H.P. Lovecraft had about a creepy sideshow magician named Nyarlathotep. This dream is the origin of the name Nyarlathotep by the way. I thought Boom’s interpretation of this wizard of Magnetism was horrifically fun and recalled a more whimsical time in horror stories.

Fall of Cthulhu: GodWar #2
Various characters from the previous Fall of Cthulhu series fall-in together as the war Between Nyarlathotep and Nodens begins to tear into the real world with devastating consequences. The more the story threads are gathered, the more the horror grows. The main characters are in way over their heads and they don’t’ even know it yet. This title is putting me on edge like a good horror flick or classic game session of Call of Cthulhu.

Northlanders #10
What we have here is essentially the second part of a story about a traitor, a boy who sells out his family and town to the Vikings in trade for a life as a warrior. It’s kinda hard to take but then life and death in the middle ages was very brutal. It’s strangely compelling to read a traitor’s story where the traitor succeeds.

She-Hulk #33
I remember when the Skrulls were short ugly aliens. Jazinda, She-Hulk’s Skull-friend, is just too hot. Basically she looks like a sexy 20 something with a ripple chin and green skin. Ahhh no. We already have one green skinned chick sticking her juicy ass out of the panels and we don’t need another. Sometimes aliens should just be the classic evil threat and not sympathetic. The art in this issue is great but She-Hulk seemed like a supporting character in her own title. Super Skrull is always good for a spectacular bashing though.

Hulk #6
This Hulk title has been a good series so far. I’ve enjoyed not knowing who the Red Hulk is and the appearances by the supporting cast are well done. Also, I think She-Hulk’s characterization is better here then in her own comic. Issue six really comes together in showing Hulk as not so bad when compared to the monsters that are always created to fight him. That’s classic hulk and that works. This isn’t a bunch psychological mumbo jumbo, it’s just straight up Hulk Smash. I’m not real familiar with what’s been going on with the Hulk stories so I’ve got no guesses on who the Red Hulk might be, but it is fun not having all the answers… as long as he doesn’t turn out to be a Skrull that is.



-Swinebread

Quick Comic Reviews

Comic Reviews

Conan the Cimmerian #3
Conan has made is his way back to Cimmeria and he meets up with Coallan, an old flame who has grown into a strong and very attractive woman. Hot on her heels are the invading coldblooded Aesir. I like this issue a lot, probably for it’s depiction of Coallan as she represents that strong female warrior that I’ve been pining for. I’m very interested in the women of Cimmera and how they handle themselves in a fight, so this whole new story arc by Truman is refreshing. Thomas Giorello’s artwork really brings out the blacks, which I greatly enjoy and it’s reminiscent of the old Savage Sword of Conan title. Richard Corbin also provides engaging art for a flashback sequence featuring Conan’s grandfather.

Marvel Apes #2
We’ve kinda got two things gong on in Marvel Apes. The first is the fun wackiness that is an Ape-ified Marvel Universe and the other is a “what if” story in which Captain America is a villain (although if my suspicions are correct it’s not his fault). I approve of this approach, as the novelty of a Monkey Marvel world isn’t enough to carry a story. The back up tale on the history of the Marvel Ape Universe is hilarious and so are the fake covers for other Marvel Apes titles. A nod to Mutant and Masterminds’ “Earth-Ape” should be made though as Marvel is ripping it off wholesale.

The Walking Dead #52
The zombie title that’s not about zombies continues with Rick and Carl on the road. Michonne shows up just in time to save little Carl from a zombie attack and later she helps Rick deal with the death of his wife and daughter. It’s nice to be traveling, instead of stuck in the prison as in the previous story arc and its good to have tough as nails Michonne back too. I realized while reading this issue and Conan that Charlie Adlard’s art has a definite Richard Corbin influence that really fits a horror title like this. Krikman’s pacing is as excellent as always and he ends the issue on just the right note. How does he do it?

The Astounding Wolf-Man #8
Kirkman’s superhero horror comic sees Gary on the run as he’s been wrongly accused of murdering his wife. The only thing keeping him going, is his thirst for revenge over the vampire that killed his spouse and the only way to accomplish said revenge is to seek out the Were-Wolf that made him. I love how Gary set himself up all Bruce Wayne–like and how it quickly went to shit. When you are dealing with dark supernatural forces it’s hard to simply go on patrol and fight bank robbers. I love how the Saturday morning cartoon style contrasts with the evil undertones of this book. Note: Fans of White Wolf’s Were-Wolf game should be reading this.

The End League.
Is it just me or did this take forever to come out? Anyhoo, issue 4 of Rick Remender’s post-apocalyptic superhero series focus in on The Prairie Ghost this time around as he secures the services of a healer. The Prairie Ghost (who is now my favorite from this title) is strangely an appropriate cross between Jonah Hex and Ghost Rider. He’s really working for me and I feel he should have had more prominence before now. The story is a good one of desperation and survival but the art takes a right turn as Eric Canete replaces Mat Broome. I have to say I prefer Broome’s cleaner style to Canete’s. Canete’s drawings have a little of the Savage Dragon bendy bones thing going on and some super deformed traits too. Plus, it’s hard to tell what’s going in his panels. I may have to drop this title if the art doesn’t improve with the next issue.

Guardians of The Galaxy #5
I really like cosmic stuff or at least I did back in the day, but I skipped the whole Annihilation thing because I was mad about Marvel killing off the Xanderians… again. I’ve wanted to pick an issue of GOTG though but it’s always sold out. I love the original team and I’m also a fan of Rocket Raccoon and Gamora, so I figured “why not” as an issue was available. Well, I’m lost. Too much has gone on in the far reaches of Marvel space for me to track. I know most of the characters but a lot has happened to them in modern times for me to keep up. Plus, I really am not interested in the Secret Invasion crap Marvel is forcing down our throats and it’s all over this title. Crossover/event comics suck! I thought the appearance of Star Hawk was cool though. It’s funny that everybody’s costume had to be updated to look like something from the X-Men movies. They can’t be superheroes anymore I guess. They have to be “adventurers.”

Men of Mystery #72
It’s fun to read these golden age black and white reprints but frankly at ten buck a pop Men of Mystery should really be in color or a least grayscale. I particularly enjoyed the Major Midnight, Rainbow Boy and Camilla stories. It’s kinda nice to read pulpy stuff with characters I’m not familiar with as it gives me that down home serial feeling.

Star Trek Assignment Earth #5
Love it, love it love it. ST:AE is truly a fantastic comic series. This mini-series finishes out in grand fashion with a communist plot to replace Nixon as he visits China. Gary 7 and Roberta Lincoln succeed in saving the president… or do they? But all that really matters is that old tricky Dick appears to be who he is supposed to be for the sake of the timeline. John Byrne has really pulled it off with this one. ST: AE feels like a late 60s and early 70s TV show but with 20/20 hindsight. This series made me realize what a great sci-fi, espionage show Assignment Earth could have been. The AE concept should be revived as a TV show in some fashion IMO. I was skeptical about this comic but this is one of the best things I’ve read all year. Not to be missed by Star Trek fans. Side note: this great idea for a roleplaying game too.



-Swinebread

Quick Comic Reviews

Star Trek: Mirror Images #3, IDW.
Here we get an interlude from the main storyline of the Mirror Universe Kirk with a story of a young Picard (looking like Shinzon) seizing comand as the Terran Empire begins it’s death spiral. I like the Mirror Universe a lot but I hated what they did with it in Deep Space 9. This comic shows that at least Jean Luc didn’t go down without a fight. I enjoyed the excellent storytelling and the art has an adequate sci-fi, tarot card kinda look.

Red Sonja #37, Dynamite Entertainment.
The story of a reborn Red Sonja continues with acceptable although not stellar results. Her whole origin was screwed up so I guess why not start over practically from scratch. Sonja begins her training to become the warrior she once was in her previous life so she can seek revenge, sounds familiar. It’s a hero(ine)’s journey. The art is OK but the coloring needs work. I liked the nod to Claw the unconquered.

Doctor Who Classics #10, IDW.
I’ve enjoyed this Who reprint title immensely. The new show is OK but for some reason I still like the old Doctor Who with Baker better and this comic has given me my fix. The two stories contained herein see the Doctor’s companion Sharon off on her final two adventures. Gibbons’ artwork is a good fit for Baker’s Who and the new coloring works for me. I believe this the final issue and I’m sad to see it go, as this series really captured the Doctor imo.

Star Trek: Romulans: The Hollow Crown #1, IDW.
An outstanding comic all-around, John Byrne has recaptured his lost magic here. He is exactly what the Star Trek franchise needed and vice versa. I can’t decide which is better the art or the story and that’s a good bit of indecision to have. This title is a sequel to Byrne’s earlier Star Trek: Romulans comic and is set after the events in Balance of Terror. Get it, Read it and enjoy it. The world of the Romulans has never been richer.

The Dark Tower: Treachery #1, Marvel.
This is the third and final act of the Dark Tower Comics. Amazing art and a rich universe unfold as Ronald is home and he’s not quite sane. What we got here is the Man with No Name meets Lovecraft meets Lord of the Rings. Pick up Gunslinger Born first if you are interested in reading this.

The Stand: Captain Trips #1, Marvel.
I’ve read the Stand and watched the TV miniseries. So I was intrigued in how all of this could be condensed down into three comic mini-series. So far we’re off to a tube-necking good start. It’s seems the events in the comic are set in the early 80s as old cars and ghetto blasters are prominently depicted. I like the renderings of Stu, Larry and Frannie and Randal Flagg (although he’s only on the cover). It’s actually kinda nice to get away from King’s over exposition with the images recalling so much of the information from the book without the need for words.

Quick Comic Reviews

The Twelve #1/2
What we have here is a reprint of 5 stories from the golden age of comics, 2 stories of the Fiery Mask, one of Mister E and two of Rockman. It’s a bumper issue, as the next issue of The Twelve isn’t going to be published until October. The stories have the simplistic art and the ridiculous plots that we’ve come to expect from the time period they were created in but they’re fun nonetheless. This comic is notable for having two stories written and drawn Joe Simon, (the fiery Mask ones), one written by Stan Lee (one of the Rockman stories) and one written and drawn by Basil Wolverton (the other Rockman tale). The fiery Mask stories have an odd horror edge to them with a Green Zombie-making doctor and blood draining experiments. The Mister E story is kinda dull but the villain, “the Vampire” (who is not vampire), is kinda interesting as a low-grade Cobra Commander. The Rockman stories are fun with Rockman creating a Tsunami to wipe out the villain’s island lair and Rockman battling underground pixies to rescue a princess.


Army of Darkness #12.
The Home Sweet Hell storyline wraps up with Ash returned to his proper Chosen One status after fighting the Seven Deadly Sins. The Seven Deadly sins are both a parody and an homage to the Hellraiser cenobites and Piers Anthony’s incarnations of immortality. This makes me wonder if there was a Hellraiser / Army of Darkness crossover that fell through. This issue has the solid horror/comedy action that I’ve come to expect from AoD.


Jonah Hex #35
Justin Grey and Jimmy Palmiotti haven’t let me down yet and Hex 35 is another example of their prowess as writers. Seems Jonah has proven himself a little too macho this time around and some folks that would like to use him for their own purposes notice his manliness. The art by J.H. Willams is excellent, his style is kinda like Tony Harris crossed with Moebius. Jonah’s scars really look anatomically possible this time around. The “done in one” comic is almost a lost art nowadays but it’s still alive and well in this issue.

Tor #5
Tor’s story is winding down as our prehistoric hero gets offered up as sacrifice to the sprits by ape-men. Of course he gets out of it and rescues the girl but not before getting bruised and battered. An intriguing aspect of Joe Kubet’s Tor is that selfless acts are considered a strange aberration by most of the inhabitants this primeval world. Tor represents a new kind of being, one that is thoughtful, curious, and even noble in a savage way. Kubert’s art doesn’t disappoint, as his beasties are the best in the biz. It’s weird that Tor’s Dark skinned woman can’t be drawn with nipples though.

The Secret Six #1
I enjoyed Villains United so I though I’d try this new ongoing title written by Gail Simone. I was a little lost as I hadn’t realized that this supervillain team has already had several appearances since Villains United, but I was brought up to speed quickly with a wikipedia check. I was reminded that comics aren’t’ for kids anymore with a gay strip club scene in the first page and a grisly murder a few pages later but hey, I’m an adult so why should I care right? I’m really enjoying the characterizations of both Catman and Deadshot. The big spoiler is that Bane’s on the team. It looks like I finally found a DC team comic to replace Shadowpact and it has much better writing.

Marvel Apes #1
This was a lot better than I thought it was going to be as there were plenty of chuckles. The ape version of the Marvel universe has a lot to like such as Spider-Monkey and vines growing everywhere. I’m intrigued by ApeX as he seems to have no analogue plus the running joke about Oregon was funny too. I guess Karl Kessel means that the dirty hippies from Oregon shave on Earth Ape.

The War that Time Forgot #5
This title is treading water. It’s a great concept to have all of DC comics various non-superhero characters gathered together from different time periods in a Lost World setting, but maybe there are too many characters or something. I’m not getting enough examination of what everyone is going through. There were some shadowy figures shown running what seems to be an experiment with all these time-lost soldiers but their motivations are not revealed. Plus, where’s the war? I thought we’d have some big battles by now. I’m glad G.I. Robot looks like he might not be down for the count.

Witness to War
I bought this is a graphic novel a while ago. It took me a long time to read it because the art is somewhat amateurish and so I thought it might not be that good of a story. But as far as war comics go, I think it is excellent on the scripting end. WtW tells the fictional story of Anna Krieg, a journalist that gets caught up in the events of the Battle of the Bulge. It’s a fresh concept to tell a WWII story through a woman’s eyes but it is also a great storytelling device to have the narrator be a journalist. The squad level combat was riveting and that fact that a female character was going threw it added to the excitement. I think this book opens up a whole new arena of war comic possibilities. Imagine Sgt. Rock, the Haunted Tank, and the Losers hooking up with female Journalist. Now that could have been a very cool series. The book also includes a fairly long prose chapter on the history of battle itself.

Quick Comic Reviews

I thought I’d make some quickie reviews of last week’s comics

H.P. Lovecraft’s Vault of Horror #3
Horror and Sci-fi favorite Richard Corbin finishes out his mini-series which adapts some of the gentleman from Providence's smaller works including poems. The adaptations here are well done and the Heavy Metal art style suits these mythos tales quite well, although I wasn’t completely behind the black &white drawings until this issue. I’d consider the Arthur Jermyn adaptation in this issue quite stellar by making one of Lovecraft’s more obvious stories into something much more enjoyable to read. The last two tales in this issue are freely adapted from H.P’s horror poems The Well and The Window. Both are short but engaging.

She-Hulk #32
Secret Invasion invades She-Hulk with mixed results. I’m not interested in this lame crossover that is infecting the Marvel universe but I do like the Super-Skrull who figures as the main villain, so that’s something. The coloring is bowling me over as it remindes me of Heavy Metal (again). It’s such a dramatic visual look and unlike how comics colors used to appear that Shulkie seems like she’s in a sci-fi, anime movie.

Star Trek Year Four: The Enterprise Experiment #5
This is one of the best if not thee best Star Trek comic series that I’ve read, but what else could you expect from D.C. Fontana. The voice of the characters is correct and their actions are in line with the TOS. Fontana ties in concepts like the Preservers and the Organians, and she brings back popular characters such as the Kor, Koloth and the hottie Romulan commander from the Enterprise incident. Plus, she makes the Edosians important to the future of the Star Trek Universe, which is much appreciated. More ST if it is written by Fontana.

Necronomicon #1
A wonderful new Cthulhu Horror miniseries from Boom Studios centered around the most famous sanity-blasting tome off all time. Set in the 1920s, the narrative is told through a letter from an Arab student that comes to study at Miskatonic University and who ends up joining forces with academic occultists because of his language skills. The story, so far, is top notch and the Vertigo art style by Andrew Ritchie suits the Lovecraftian Horror theme.

Northlanders #9
You can’t tell realistic Viking tales without taking about Lidisfarne. This issue is part one of two-part standalone story on the sacking of a Monastery on the Northern coast of England in 793 A.D. A boy feels crushed under the yoke of medieval Christianity and calls upon the old gods for help and the Vikings seem to be the answer to his prayers. With adequate art and a solid narrative, this two-parter is kinda a placeholder until the next longer story arc commences.

Ambush Bug: Year None #2
Mitsu Bishi, Amber Butane, Blue Beetle, and Jann Jones are present and accounted for. What else do you need to know? Might not be as fun for folks that aren’t as familiar with all the crazy crap that’s been going on in DC comics that last few years but the OMAC Cheeks takes the cake! Did I mention Angryish Bear? Oh Well I just did.


Life Sucks Graphic Novel
I recently finished up the graphic novel Life Sucks written by Jessica Abel and Gabe Soria. This isn’t my usual sort of fair, but I just had to give this vampire slacker story a look-see. If I had to give you a shorthand description for this it might be Love and Rockets crossed with the Lost Boys plus a dash of Clerks.

Life Sucks isn’t your typical vampire story. When the luckless vegetarian Dave is transformed into a vampire, none of his problems are solved, he still has to pay the rent and the Jocks still seem to get the girls. It’s supposedly Young Adult but I wouldn’t let that stop you if you’re looking for something different.


-Swinebread